Reed City's football team has waited a long time to get another chance at the playoffs. 

 

After last season ended unceremoniously with a forfeit loss, the Coyotes (8-1) are back in the championship race. The team's latest hunt for a title begins at 7 p.m. Friday with a home game against the Manistee Chippewas (5-4). 

 

The Coyotes, led by third year coach Scott Shankel, finished the 2021 regular season winners of eight straight. The final win was perhaps the most important, a 38-28 victory over Division 4 fourth ranked Whitehall. 

 

"It was a huge win," Shankel said. 

 

A key to that win was the Coyotes' control of the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Shankel believes this is important to replicate as his team prepares to take on the physical Chippewas. 

 

"They're pretty big," Shankel said. "They're pretty physical. They play hard, they run an option offense that puts your offense in a bind at times and makes it tough." 

 

Reed City will continue to prepare with its run-heavy, T-formation offense. After rotating running backs throughout the season, the team has found a solid core of Bryson Hughes, Nick Wirgau and Noah Morgan. 

 

Morgan has been the team's short-yardage back, proving himself more than capable of breaking the big run. Wirgau is an up-and-coming sophomore who is no stranger to the light of the playoffs, having seen both his older brothers come through the program. 

 

Hughes, meanwhile, is a big-play threat each time he touches the ball. Despite missing games with an injury, the junior has returned two kickoffs for touchdowns and contributed numerous pivotal runs for his offense. 

 

Seth Jackson, a junior, remains the team's top receiver and best defensive back. He's a touchdown threat each time he catches a pass and a menace in opposing passing games. 

 

The Coyotes are anchored by eight seniors, each playing their own key part in the team's success. This group will be counted on Friday night as they try to make the most of an opportunity taken away last season. 

 

"We all know that you only get four guaranteed years of high school football, if you're lucky enough to get those four years," Shankel said. "These kids have dedicated a lot of their time to this program and sacrificed a lot to be a part of this team. We're looking for big things out of them in the playoffs and they know the next one they're not successful in is it. So I don't think they're ready to turn their stuff in."

 

Listen to Christian Booher & Coach Shankel's full interview @wybrfm on Facebook or @y102br on Instagram.

 

Coyotes kick off at home versus the Manistee Chippewas at 7:00pm Friday night.

Listen to every play on Y-102 102.3FM via the WYBR Big Rapids app, or at wybr.com